Illuminating amusement device for perforating objects



1970 A. R. OLIVER 3,548,51

ILLUMINATING AMUSEMENT DEVICE FOR PERFORATING OBJECTS Filed D66. 26,1967 INVENTOR, @GNES .R. OLIVER ATTOEA/gf United States Patent M3,548,519 ILLUMINATING AMUSEMENT DEVICE FOR PERFORATING OBJECTS Acreative amusement device having a translucent, resilient workingsurface beneath which is a source of illumination. The user places amaterial, such as a card, picture, or the like, on the surface andperforates the card to produce any desired illuminating effect.

This invention relates generally to an amusement device adapted toilluminate a picture, card or the like on a resilient backing wherebythe user can perforate the picture to produce any desired illuminatedeffect.

It is the object of this invention to provide an educational, creativeamusement device.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device whereby the usercan perforate an ordinary picture to create an interesting illuminatingeffect.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device whichallows the user to illuminate a card or picture in multicolor fashion.

It is an object of the invention to provide an amusement device wherebyalmost any pictorial representation can be given an illuminated image.

It is a broad object of this invention to provide an inexpensiveamusement device which teaches artistic creativity.

These and other, further, and more specific objects and advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description of the invention taken inconjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the device of the invention in a perspective view with partof the working surface broken away.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevation of another embodiment of mydevice, further provided with means for multicolor illumination and anauxiliary viewing screen.

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view of still another embodiment ofmy invention.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a frame is providedwith a working surface of a suitable resilient, translucent material. Alight source is placed so that light passes through the working surface,and, for example, a picture is placed on the working surface. The user,with a punch, simply punches out the desired design in the picture, andthe light passes through the translucent material and the perforationsin the picture creating an interesting, lighted effect. The workingsurface allows the passage of light as well as enduring repeatedpuncturings.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designatesimilar elements, the device is generally indicated by the numeral andincludes a frame 11 of any suitable, preferably heat resistant material.The frame is generally rectangular with parallel front and rear sides 13and 14 with the terminal edge of side 14 being at a higher elevationthan the upper terminal edge of side 13. Sides 15 of frame 11 slantrearwardly between 13 and 14 and support planar, inclined panel 12. Agenerally rectangular frame 16 is affixed to planar surface 12 and isslightly raised therefrom. Most of the area of panel 12 within frame 16is cut out. Any conventional means of assembling the frame 11 may beused without 3,548,519 Patented Dec. 22, 1970 affecting the novelcombination otherwise herein.

Within frame 16 and supported on glass 17, which is coplanar withsurface 12 within the cut out, is the working surface 20. The workingsurface 20 may be of any material such as that sold by Dow Chemicalunder the trade name Styrofoam. It is important that this workingsurface be translucent, that is allow the passage of light, and still beresilient enough to withstand repeated puncturing without unduedeterioration. Mounted within the confines of frame 11 at a locationbelow the working surface 20 is a light source 21. This is shown as arelatively low wattage ordinary AC light source having onoff switch 22.It will be obvious that a flashlight bulb and batteries would serveequally well. Air holes may be provided in the rear of frame 11 todissipate heat given off by the light source 21.

It is apparent from this description that the user wishing to use thedevice simply places working material such as a Christmas card, as shownin FIG. 1, on the working surface 20 and switches on light 21. Althoughnot shown, it may be desirable to provide a clamp on surface 20 to holdthe material being worked firmly in place. By punching pin-point holesin appropriate places in the card directly above the light source, thedesired effect is achieved as the light coming through the perforationscreates an illumination. This is shown in exaggerated form in FIG. 1 asan illuminated Christmas tree. The working surface 20 can be perforatedrepeatedly without damage and still allows the light to come through.Channel 23 running transversely along the lower edge of surface 12serves as a retainer for punches and other working tools.

In FIG. 2, yet another embodiment is shown. The device is similar tothat shown in FIG. 1 but further provided with a color wheel 25 of knownmanufacture. This wheel is rotatively mounted about axis 26 on support27 extending transversely between sides 15 of frame 11. A slot, notshown, in side 15 allows the user to rotate the color wheel to anydesired position. The wheel itself is provided with one or more colorwindows which allows light passage, and as the wheel is rotated thelight from source 21 passing through the wheel produces a colored lightthrough surface 20.

Additionally, this embodiment is provided with a viewing screen 30 forcompleted work. The screen 30 is of any translucent material and may beof the same material as 20, is mounted flush with surface 12 and issupported by frame 35. A channel 34 holds the work in place, and aseparate light source 31 and switch, not shown, are provided toilluminate the viewing screen 30.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 3 in which still another preferredembodiment of my amusement device is specifically illustrated. Herepanel 12, which carries the working surface 20, along with frame 16 andglass backing 17, is vertically hinged to rectangular base 38 havingsides of uniform, height at 39. Accordion-type sides 36 extend betweensurface 12 and base 38. Arm 37 is pivotally attached to base 38 andlocks into notch 40 secured to surface 12. Light source 21 is containedwith frame 38 as described with reference to FIG. 1. This embodimentallows the working surface to be folded down into base 38 when not inuse and provides a compact, more easily stored and packaged unit. Forexample, the user simply vertically raises the rear edge of panel 12causing the front edge of 12 to pivot at 39. Accordion sides 36 expandand are locked into a working position by arms 37 at notch 39.

involved It will thus be seen that my amusement device can be used as acreative toy for persons of all ages. It is not only fun as a pastime,but has potential as a hobby and useable in therapeutics. It is idealfor the nursery, kindergarten, and in its simplest form is a toy for theindividual child and can be used without playmates.

It must be emphasized that the work creations herein attainable areinexpensive due to the availability of materials. For example, thematerial for punching can be any greeting card, magazine picture, foil,or plain paper. The possibilities of the range of artistic creations areendless and limited only by the users imagination. The user may evenmake his own Christmas decorations with this device.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that various otherchanges in size, shape, material and the like will occur to thoseskilled in the art. To the extent that such modification and changes donot depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to bewithin the spirit and scope hereof, which is not limited to theembodiments specifically illustrated.

I claim:

1. A creative amusement device for use with perforable working materialscomprising:

(a) a frame having upstanding walls;

(b) a top panel having a cut-out therein supported by said upstandingwalls;

() a translucent insert in said cut-out coplanar with said panel;

((1) a working surface supported on said insert, said working surfacebeing a translucent foamed plastic able to support said materials andabsorb repeated punctures; and

(e) a light source located within said frame below said working surfaceadapted to illuminate said working surface whereby the user can manuallyperforate the 4 working material creating the desired illuminatedelfect.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a separate trans lucent viewing screenis provided in said top panel and positioned to receive illuminationfrom said light source.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein means for changing the color of lightilluminating said working surface are disposed between said light sourceand said translucent insert.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said top panel is rearwardly inclined.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said top panel is hingedly affixed tosaid frame whereby said panel can be pivoted and locked into a useposition from a position of non-use.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,455,474 5/ 1923 Brown 40143X1,796,322 3/1931 Callender 40-143X 2,060,308 11/1936 Harding -482,080,652 5/1937 Cook et a1. 3526 2,300,447 11/ 1942 Glukes 1323,171,204 3/1965 Balducci 3519 3,358,389 12/1967 Ruderfer 3524 FOREIGNPATENTS 1,046,751 7/ 1953 France 3526 HARLAND S. SKOGQUIST, PrimaryExaminer US. Cl. X.R. 83522

